In response to your article "Snakes and Property Ladders" (The Argus, October 30), I work for the NHS and cannot afford to buy a home in this city where I grew up and where my family live.

In vain, I applied for a housing scheme run by the Government that helps teachers, health workers and police buy a property.

Yet, despite this assistance, banks and building societies will not lend the money needed to buy a very basic basement flat because the average cost of a grotty flat is circa £80,000 to £100,000.

I have written to my MP to ask where the affordable houses in Brighton and Hove are but have not yet had a response - probably because there are no affordable houses in the area.

I am now left contemplating my future, not just in Brighton but in this country.

After working throughout university and before to give myself an education and graduating £15,000 in debt, the struggle still goes on.

I am not the only public service worker to think this. So what will I do now? Live at home with my parents all my life? Move abroad? Give it all up and live on benefits (as many seem to be better off)? Or leave the NHS?

The last is probable.

-Kelly Evans, Saltdean